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Fighting with My Family (2019)
Fighting with My Family (2019)
2019 | Biography, Comedy, Drama
I loved this movie because the messages it tells are universal. You might think this is a movie about wrestling, but I felt like it wasn't, wrestling is just the backdrop for a story about ambition, doing hard things, and interpersonal relationships. It's about a family that has some issues but is better than most in the way they treat each other. It's about learning what you're really good at, seeing the value you have in your community, and learning not to pass judgment on others. It put all of these messages really nicely into a great story. AND it made me appreciate wrestling more.
  
You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)
You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)
Felicia Day | 2016 | Biography
10
9.0 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was just the book for me. I found myself in love with Felicia Day's quirky and unique experiences. This book is full of fun, horrifying, and hilarious stories that shows the reader just how awesome she is.

Felicia didn't hold back in this book, you get an in depth look into her life and how she became who she is today. You learn about her depression, her health issues, her friendships, and her family.

I'm so glad that I purchased this book. It was quirky and hilarious and I loved every minute of it.

If you're looking for a fun geeky experience, this is the book for you.
  
Watcher In The Woods
Watcher In The Woods
Kelley Armstrong | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am always excited for a new Rockton novel. This one did not disappoint. The action picks up immediately after the end of the last novel making the series run seamlessly. We get to find out a bit more about Casey, Rockton and its residents, which is a rich source material that author Kelley Armstrong knows how to utilize. Learning about Casey’s family was interesting although, in one of the very few issues with these books, it seems unbelievable that her parents would have behaved a certain way being “scientists” and considering themselves “overachieving medical geniuses”. Either way, Kelley Armstrong can do no wrong in my opinion. A must read!!
  
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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Kingdom of Us (2017) in Movies

Oct 22, 2017 (Updated Oct 22, 2017)  
Kingdom of Us (2017)
Kingdom of Us (2017)
2017 | Biography, Documentary, Drama
Poignant, heartbreaking and complex
Another superb documentary film on Netflix exploring the complexities of bereavement, in this case, a family of seven children and their father who took his own life.

The filmmaker follows the journey of the Shanks children, now teenagers and young adults, who six years later are still trying to make sense of their loss. Issues include mental health problems, and dealing with trauma especially with four of the teens suffering from autism. Each person deals with it differently, ranging from creating music, becoming philosophical, to having a full-blown nervous breakdown.

Mother Vikie is incredibly stoic, attempting to keep order despite the horrendous upheaval from the death. There's some disturbing scenes in which the children discuss finding a note in which their father had originally planned to kill them before committing suicide. It is heartbreaking to watch how it has both scarred and shaped the family, but they courageously attempt to pull together as one unit. A must-watch documentary.
  
GA
Go Ask Fannie
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really enjoyed Go Ask Fannie by Elisabeth Hyde. The characters were very well-defined, as well as likeable, and the story progressed so, so well and it was a very satisfying read from start to finish.

Fannie, is not the character I presumed her to be! But a clever feature of the story that I really enjoyed! The three siblings followed, Lizzie, George and Ruth, as well as they patriarch of the family, Murray, are going through some stuff. A LOT of stuff. There are secrets, and fighting, and lots of unspoken words. It was a sneak peek into a weekend of this family, and all the issues they possess. And also all the Love.

I'm a big fan of Elisabeth Hyde now - and will definitely look out for anything else she has written! I received a copy of Go Ask Fannie as part of the Penguin First to Read program in exchange for my honest review.
  
Indivisible (2018)
Indivisible (2018)
2018 | Drama
Great faith based movie
I was really looking forward to this movie when I saw the trailer. It has a few cast members that play in Grey's Anatomy, and their characters had similar personalities. I love the actors and they did a great job.
This movie is based on a true story about a military chaplain and his family. The film did a great job showing the families struggles, and how the family dynamics changed before and after deployment. I was worried that since it is a religious based movie that they would attempt to pray away PTSD or other mental health issues. I was happy to see that they didn't do that instead other characters encourage those In need to seek help. Over all I think it was a very real protrayel of the struggles military families go through. I would suggest this movie to other people who enjoy a tear jerker.
  
Rocco and His Brothers (1960)
Rocco and His Brothers (1960)
1960 | Crime, Drama, Sport
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Then the films that made me want to become an actor were films that were recommended by my father when I was 16, and I got my first VHS player, and they were very often these French films, Italian films in the ’60s and ’70s, and one of the films that impressed me the most was Rocco and His Brothers. Neo-realism — Rocco and His Brothers with Alain Delon, which is great because it’s told in different chapters. I think five chapters. Telling the story of each of these brothers, of this poor southern Italian family coming to Milan trying to begin a new life, and the authenticity of that neo-realistic Italian filmmaking, is very impressive. Also the drama, the way it is told, and big family issues of rivalry and jealousy and love and hatred are told in a magnificent and very moving way, and with a wonderful young Alain Delon playing Rocco."

Source
  
SO
Something Old, Something New
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Love, loss, betrayal -- all in the time of Nazis

Elodie and Monique are rummaging through their family attic one day when they come across an old trunk full of letters and memorabilia. They find it all extremely interesting, so they start to peruse the trinkets. Little do they know this will set them on a whirlwind adventure through their family history, bringing to light that which has been hidden for decades.

I absolutely loved this story. It has so much information regarding World War II, and it really gets to the heart of what it was like for families during that time, especially those living in occupied France, such as the one featured. There are many issues expressed during the course of the novel, and not just those stemming for the occupation. It made for a very interesting read that I couldn't put down, and I love the format in which it's written: the story being told to an author in order to help Elodie write the book on her family.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good romp through history, especially the WWII era, as well as those who like intrigue, love stories, and just great stories.

5 stars
  
SD
Skin Deep (Dark World, #1)
T.G. Ayer | 2013
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Kailin works as a counselor at a Drug Rehab Centre but you don't actually spend much time there. Logan is a policeman working for Omega who deal with Paranormal incidences. Kailin ends up being in the middle of an Omega investigation as she makes her own inquiries.

Kailin is a brilliant main female as she states her case, doesn't back down but isn't stupid enough to continue championing something that is a lost cause already. She has relationship issues with family and friends but those she lets in, get close to her. Logan makes the perfect foil for Kailin. He is also young for his profession and has his own secrets and problems.

There is a lot of action in this book - drug issues, torture, disappearance to just name a few. It isn't all physical though - both Logan and Kailin have mental and emotional issues to work through. This is a 'busy' book, with a story that goes all the way through without any dull moments. Some of the things that happen you can guess but there is a lot that will leave you wondering just where out of left field it came from. There is also the hint and promise of romance that runs through it.

Thoroughly enjoyable and a definite page turner. Recommended for all Urban Fantasy/Paranormal fans out there.
  
The Hate u Give
The Hate u Give
Angie Thomas | 2017 | Children
7
8.4 (54 Ratings)
Book Rating
Good but a little one sided
This is one of those books that has been lauded because it’s relevant and moving subject matter, and for this I’d have to agree with them. it features a very emotive subject and deals with it in a fairly appropriate manner. Starr and her family are well rounded characters all likeable and flawed in their own ways, and there are a lot of conversations and family interactions during the book that had me smile or laugh out loud. I do have an issue with Starr herself, as she can be an irritating petulant teenager at times. I also have a general issue with this book. It’s about racism and raises a lot of valid issues and points, however it sometimes come across as very one sided. There is no justification for any actions of the police in this, however racism is a wide ranging issue and this book only tackles one side. It doesn’t address or even acknowledge when any of the main characters are being racist towards white people, or people are being accused of racism even when that may not be the case. Police brutality and racism is a big problem and there’s no denying that, and this book does a good job in tackling and raising some of these issues. But I feel like the true solution to racism is equality for all, and it doesn’t really address any thing like this.